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What it is:

After months of sleeping though the night in her own crib or bed, your toddler now wakes up once, twice (do I hear three times?) and cries until you lull her back to sleep.

Why it happens:

If your former sleep-like-a-log toddler has started waking up and crying, there might be a good developmental reason for it. Your child might be overwhelmed by a new sibling, by potty learning, by her new bed. Or it can be because she's too hot or too cold, has nightmares or night terrors, is afraid of the dark, or is sick (with an ear infection or a stuffy nose).

What you need to know:

Night waking is very normal and very common (just count all those bleary-eyed parents of toddlers at the playground). Like any other "bad" habit, this one can be broken with time and patience.

What to do about it:

The following steps will help reverse the night-waking habit.

Early to bed is your best defense. Not enough sleep can result in sleep deprivation, and that can make your tot wake even more frequently at night. Getting plenty of daytime sleep (naps) is also important.

If you haven't done so already, establish a soothing bedtime routine (warm bath, quiet story, hugs, etc.), which ends with you leaving the room before your child is asleep.

If your child doesn't already have one, introduce a lovey to keep her company in the wee hours. A blanket, stuffed animal, or even an old T-shirt of yours may be all she needs to soothe herself back to sleep.

If you're potty-training, consider a nighttime diaper, which will eliminate your tot's anxiety over wetting the bed. When she's not worried, she sleeps better— just like you.

Don't rush in. If she calls for you after you leave the room or whimpers in the middle of the night, wait a few minutes to see if she settles down by herself. (Remind yourself that it's okay not to respond to every little noise you hear.)

If your child begins to cry in earnest, check to make sure she's not sick or otherwise needs your help.

Provide low-key reassurance. Don't pick her up and try not to talk. Instead, gently pat her on the back. When she's calmed down (but not asleep), leave the room. If she starts crying again, wait a few minutes before you return. Continue doing this (if you feel comfortable with the crying), increasing the time between curtain calls.

Hang in there. It'll take several nights but by the fourth or fifth day, the crying will most likely have ended (really, it will!).

How to prevent it:

Make a real effort to teach your tot to fall asleep by herself (see second step, above).